Issue - meetings

Recommendation: Conditional approval

Proposal: Full application for proposed change of use to provide light industrial (Use Class B1) and internal and external storage and distribution (Use Class B8) on the site with associated parking

Applicant: Palmarium Properties Limited

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 15 to 56.

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included:

·           Clarification that the first sentence of paragraph 1 on page 33 should refer to there being three existing buildings on site;

·           Further clarification relating to Policy CP15;

·           Additional submissions received since the publication of the agenda, and associated officer comments.

Chris Bowring stated that the Committee had been on a site visit to the subject application site. Pauline Jorgensen stated that she had not been able to visit the site. Justin Turvey, Team Manager (Development & Regeneration), clarified that not attending the site visit did not preclude a Member from voting on an application.

Gareth Rees, resident, spoke in objection to the application. Gareth stated that he was speaking on behalf of a number of Reading Road residents. Gareth was of the opinion that the proposed development was contrary to Policy CP11 as it was an inappropriate increase in size. Gareth stated that the B usage of the site only extended to building 2, with the remainder of the site being classified for agricultural usage. Gareth was of the opinion that the proposals did not meet the requirements of Policy CP11, being neither diverse nor rural. Gareth stated that the site would have an inadequate turning circle for heavy goods vehicle (HGVs) and that it had not taken account of the provision for waste storage. Gareth added that the transport statement had inaccurate access vehicle tracking and the visibility splays were inadequate being 60m rather than 120m. Gareth asked that should this application be approved, additional conditions be added regarding enforcement action, hard fencing, limiting vehicle weight to 3.5 tonnes and limiting the on-site businesses to diverse and rural enterprises.

Robin Henderson, agent, spoke in favour of the application. Robin stated that the site was well contained and was currently in a neglected and redundant state, and was in need of meaningful use. Robin added that the applicant had engaged in consultation with officers throughout the planning process, and the applicant had received expressions of interest from businesses for usage of the site. Robin stated that B1 usage was suitable for a residential environment, and it was unlikely that there would be increased vehicle movements than would have resulted from previous planning approval on the site. Robin added that the proposals would improve the sight lines on Reading Road, and the requested planning permission would not facilitate a Collards Waste operation. Robin stated that the proposals were necessary to provide local employment, generate a much needed improvement to the site whilst having a low impact on the surrounding area.

Judy Kelly, Highways Development Manager, stated that the site had been tracked for large HGVs, and an adequate and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95